Flatout Inc

Flat Out Inc is an independent, not-for-profit, community-based organisation dedicated to supporting and advocating for women, trans and gender diverse people who have been criminalised. It operates across Victoria, focusing on helping these individuals to get out of prison and stay out by addressing the complex challenges they face. The organisation provides specialised outreach programs that coordinate post-release supports in areas such as housing, material aid, alcohol and other drugs, family violence, child protection, mental health, and disability.

Mission and Vision

Flat Out’s mission is to prevent the incarceration and re-incarceration of women, trans and gender diverse people by providing high-quality, woman-centred support and advocacy. Its vision is a society where these groups are no longer criminalised or imprisoned, living lives free from trauma, injustice, and violence. The organisation aims to work alongside diverse communities to end all forms of inequality and unfairness, promoting effective alternatives to criminalisation and imprisonment.

Main Objectives

• Maintain independence as a not-for-profit organisation focused on criminalised women and gender diverse people
• Provide tailored support to secure appropriate and affordable housing
• Support health and wellbeing journeys for clients
• Assist in reconnecting clients with family and community
• Lead and contribute to social and systemic change to reduce incarceration
• Promote freedom, equality, self-determination, and social justice

Benefiting Groups

• Women who have been criminalised or are at risk of incarceration
• Trans and gender diverse people involved with the criminal legal system
• Children of criminalised individuals
• Communities affected by incarceration and systemic injustice

Types of Services and Activities

• Statewide individualised outreach support and advocacy for criminalised women, trans and gender diverse people
• Post-release support coordination including housing, material aid, and health services
• Partnerships with community legal centres for integrated legal and social work support in criminal, family law, family violence, and child protection matters
• Peer-led projects such as Beyond Bricks & Bars, supporting trans and gender diverse people in prison or at risk
• Research, education, and advocacy on the intersections of family violence, criminalisation, and systemic injustice
• Community education and training to raise awareness about the experiences of criminalised women and gender diverse people

Flat Out relies on government funding and independent sources, including donations, grants, and grassroots fundraising to sustain its social change and systemic advocacy work.